Belgium. The terrorists were planning a major operation. The police in the viewfinder (maj)
(BRUSSELS2) The investigation had been ongoing for several weeks. It finally emerged yesterday late afternoon and late evening, in several municipalities in Belgium (read: A foiled attack in Belgium), as just confirmed this Friday noon (January 16), the Belgian Federal Prosecutor's Office in a press conference held in Brussels. There have been " 12 searches in total », including 2 in Verviers (including rue de la Colline which was the most spectacular), and 10 in the Brussels region or Flemish Brabant: 6 in Molenbeek, 1 in Anderlecht, 1 in Brussels-city, 1 in Berchem St Agathe, 1 in Lindekerke. But none in Vilvoorde as some media (and the mayor of Molenbeek) had mentioned yesterday.
2 dead and 15 arrests (including 2 in France), including foreign fighters
13 people were apprehended: 1 in Verviers, 9 in Molenbeek, 2 in Brussels, 1 in Berchem. Among them, different people actually beaten in Syria " (but not all). " Two people were intercepted in France, of Belgian nationality ". Belgium has requested the extradition of these people. The identification of the two suspects killed by the police in Verviers on Thursday evening (January 15) is " ongoing ". The prosecution, however, did not want to give any information on the nationality of the various people involved: some are of Belgian nationality but not all. On the other hand, the arrest of two people at Zaventem airport, yesterday on their return from Syria " has no connection with this file" said the magistrate.
(update) On Friday evening, the prosecution indicated that 5 people had been charged with participation in a terrorist enterprise. But 2 left free.
An organized and well-endowed network, in arms and resources
Several weapons were discovered in Verviers: 4 Kalashnikov AK47 type weapons, 4 handguns and ammunition, explosives, ammunition. Also found: police uniforms, false documents, important means of communication (gsm and walkie-talkies) Û. In Molenbeek, lighter equipment was recovered: “ 1 handgun, bladed weapons, ammunition, numerous mobile phones and various objects and documents” useful to the investigation. A Belgian government source mentioned a " degree of professionalism of the Belgian terrorists, apparently "superior" to that of the terrorists of Paris » as my colleague Martin relates buxant. There were " frequent vehicle changes, difficult phone tapping, a large arsenal ».
Objective: the police... but not only?
A terrorist cell has been dismantled, said a magistrate from the Belgian federal prosecutor's office. as well as its logistical structure ". " We wanted to focus our investigation (not only) on the cell but also its logistical structures as well. ". " The investigation had been ongoing for several weeks. (It) made it possible to determine that this group was about to commit a terrorist attack on public roads and on police stations”. The objective of a kidnapping of a personality - as evoked in the media - was neither confirmed nor invalidated by the Public Prosecutor who refused to give "other details ».
A Belgian operation unrelated to others
Uncertainty remains as the investigation continues. And others may come. " We don't even know what can be done in the days and weeks to come. ". On the other hand, the Public Prosecutor's Office indicated that this case " has no connection with what happened in Paris, as it stands”. Similarly, he did not mention any links with the operation carried out this morning in Germany. " This operation is not part of a large-scale operation at European level. It is a Belgian operation carried out in Belgium. “On the other hand, there is indeed” contacts at European level ».
NB: it seems certain that there was rapid consultation between certain police officials, certainly at a high level, to speed up the investigations, launch preventive operations if necessary, to stop possible preparations for attacks, but also to disrupt the "dormant" or "ready for action" networks.
(NGV)
